Threaded Empty Glass Cells


  • 100 mm or 500 mm Long Empty Borosilicate Glass Cells for Spectroscopy
  • Ø28 mm with GL-32 Threading on Each End
  • Available with One or Two Fill Tubes
  • Custom Solutions Available

TGC100A

One Fill Tube,
100 mm Long

TGC100V

One Fill Tube with
J. Young® Valve

GC1

End Cap for Ø28 mm Threaded Glass Cells

GC1V

Viton® O-Ring

TGC100D

Two Parallel Fill Tubes with Glass Stopcocks

HT10KR2

10 W Metal Ceramic Ring Heater

TGC500C

Two Fill Tubes, 500 mm Long

Related Items


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Inside Thorlabs: Scientific Glassblowing
Glass Cell with Ring Heater Schematic
Click for Details

Schematic of Threaded Glass Cell with Window, Ring Heater, Viton®* O-Rings, and End Cap
J. Young<sup>®</sup> Valve
Click to Enlarge

The TGC100V Empty Glass Cell features a J. Young® Valve that can be closed to maintain a high-vacuum seal.
Glass Cell Mounted in V-Clamp
Click to Enlarge

These empty glass cells can also be mounted in our VC3C(/M) V-Clamp.

Features

  • 100 mm Long Glass Cells for Spectroscopy Applications:
    • Available with One Tube for Filling or Two Tubes for Flow
    • Single Fill Tube Cells Also Available with Genuine J. Young®* Valve for Sealing
    • Two Parallel Fill Tube Cells Also Available with Glass Stopcocks for Sealing
  • 500 mm Long Glass Cell for Spectroscopy Applications:
    • Available with Two Parallel Tubes for Flow
  • Both Ends Include GL-32 Threading Allowing Installation of Interchangeable Windows
  • Custom Design and Manufacturing Services Available (Contact Tech Sales)
  • Ø25 mm Cells Compatible with Flexible Glass Cell Heaters

These empty borosilicate glass cells feature external GL-32 glass threading at their ends, which allows users to secure Ø25 mm or Ø1" flat windows (3 - 5 mm thick) using a GC1 Threaded End Cap, as depicted in the illustration above. Once windows are attached, the cell can be filled with atomic vapors or molecular compounds for spectroscopic analysis. A user-provided spectroscopy-grade light source can be matched with the transmission characteristics of the window material. We also offer threaded stainless steel cells and empty cells for a variety of spectroscopic applications as shown in the selection guide below. As shown in the video to the upper right, custom glass reference cells can be manufactured upon request, including different cell lengths, cell diameters, or fill tube configurations. Please contact Tech Sales with inquiries.

Cells are available with either one or two fill tubes. A single fill tube is useful when sealing a cell, while two fill tubes can be used to maintain constant gas flow. We also offer empty cells with a single fill tube and a J. Young® Valve to seal the cell with a high-vacuum, greaseless stopcock (see the image below). Fill tubes with a 0.5" outer diameter are compatible with Ø1/2" compression fittings, as shown in the Vacuum Seal tab. The GC1 caps and GC1V O-Rings will limit the clear aperture of the optic to 0.79".

Each cell is made from borosilicate glass, a rugged material known to resist chipping and cracking, and has high transmission from 350 nm to 2200 nm. All glass cells on this page can hold a vacuum below 10-7 Torr and withstand pressures up to 5 psi when properly assembled. The post-production cleaning process for these cells consists of an ultrasonic cleaning followed by a methanol rinse. The cell is then connected to a vacuum system and leak tested. The cells are not vacuum sealed when shipped; before using the cell in a vacuum setup, we advise users to follow a similar cleaning process for each cell.

These cells are commonly used in absorption spectroscopy; refer to the Application tab for a general overview of how the cells can be used in this applicaton. We also offer compact and Herriott multipass cells for gas absorption spectroscopy applications, as well as filled and sealed vapor and acetylene reference cells.

Mounting & Heating Options
The glass cells can be mounted in our V-Clamp Mounts, which are available in standard, kinematic, or Ø1.5" post-compatible versions. Please check that the cell diameter is supported by the mount. A VBC1(/M) Post-Mountable Band Clamp can be used to mount a TGC100C or TGC100D cell without marring, and two can be used to mount a TG500C cell. The VBC2(/M) Post-Mountable Band Clamp provides distributed clamping force that is well-suited for holding glass cells without marring, with a gap between the bands to accommodate the stems of our cells. Our glass cells with threaded ends can be heated using the HT10KR2 Ring Heater, which can fit inside the threaded end cap, as illustrated above. Our HT10K and TLK-H Resistive Foil Heaters can attach to the outside of the glass cells via adhesive backing.

*J. Young® is a registered trademark of GPE Scientific. Viton® is a registered trademark of DuPont.

Absorption Spectroscopy

The reference substance pumped into the glass cell is associated with a unique absorption spectrum that serves as its fingerprint. The contents of a reference cell can be determined via a linear absorption measurement (as depicted by the simplified schematic below). By scanning a tunable diode laser over a wavelength range and detecting light absorption with a photodetector, a series of peaks will be recorded, which is characteristic of the vapor inside the cell. Please note that we also offer pre-filled and sealed acetylene reference cells, as well as vapor reference cells with quartz or borosilicate substrates.

Reference Cell Setup
KF25CAdapterISO
Click for Details

Disassembled view of a KF25
flange-to-compression-fitting adapter.

Creating a Vacuum Seal with a KF Flange

Thorlabs' empty borosilicate cells can be used with our KF16 or KF25 Flanged Components and Accessories in order to manage gas flow in and out of the cell. Glass cells terminated with Ø0.31" (Ø8.0 mm) fill tubes can be inserted into the KF25C031 Flange-to-Compression-Fitting Adapter, while glass cells terminated with one or two Ø0.50" (Ø12.7 mm) fill tubes can be inserted into a KF16C050 or KF25C050 flange-to-compression-fitting adapter.

To input the glass cell into a KF16 or KF25 Vacuum System, follow the instructions below.

  1. Select a KF16 or KF25 flange-to-compression-fitting adapter that is compatible with the fill tube diameter of the glass cell.
  2. Coat a cleaned and inspected KF16CR-F or KF25CR-F Centering O-Ring in vacuum grease and place it on a base post or pipe.
  3. Place the flange-to-compression-fitting adapter on top of the KF16CR-F or KF25CR-F Centering O-Ring and secure them with the KF16WNC or  KF25WNC Wing Nut Clamp.
  4. Loosen and remove the knurled locking knob, O-ring, and seal ring of the flange-to-compression-fitting adapter so its mating surface can be inspected and the included O-ring can be coated in vacuum grease. This will create a vacuum seal when the cell is inserted into the system.
  5. Slide the open end of the glass cell tube through the top (side with the Thorlabs engraving) of the knurled locking knob, seal ring (with the counterbore seat for the O-ring facing the adapter body), and O-ring (in that order) of the flange-to-compression-fitting adapter.
  6. Slide the glass tube into the flange adapter body and then slide the O-ring, seal ring, and knurled locking knob down the tube onto the flange adapter body. Tighten the knurled locking knob by hand.

It is not recommended to insert the glass tube into a fully assembled KF flange-to-compression-fitting adapter. The sharp edges of the glass tube may damage the O-ring, thus causing the seal to fail. 


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Threaded Ø28 mm Empty Glass Cells, One Fill Tube

Specifications
Item # TGC100A TGC100V
Fill Tubes One One
Valve Type N/A J. Young®
Cell Length 100.0 ± 3 mm
Cell Diameter Ø28.0 ± 0.5 mm
Pressure @ 25 °C <10-7 Torr to 5 psi
Fill Tube Outer Diameter 0.50" (12.7 mm)
Cell Substrate Uncoated Borosilicate
Diagram (Click to View)
  • Single Fill Tube Available with or without J. Young® Valve
  • 100 mm Long Empty Borosilicate Cells
  • Ø28 mm Body with External GL-32 Threading on Each End
  • Ideal for Sample Isolation

These Ø28 mm empty borosilicate glass cells have threaded ends with no windows. Customer-supplied Ø25 mm or Ø1" flat windows (3 - 5 mm thick) can be installed using two GC1 polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) end caps, which are sold below.

Glass cells with a single fill tube are useful when introducing a sample into the cell and sealing it off for measurements. A gas sample can be sealed off in the line or by using a cell with a J. Young® Valve integrated into its fill tube. J. Young® Valves incorporate a retractable, greaseless, PTFE stopcock for maintaining a high vacuum. The yellow knob can be tightened to create a seal before the T-junction fill tube or unscrewed completely for cleaning.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
TGC100A Support Documentation
TGC100AEmpty Glass Cell with Threaded Ends, 100 mm Long, One Fill Tube
$142.71
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TGC100V Support Documentation
TGC100VEmpty Glass Cell with Threaded Ends, 100 mm Long, One Fill Tube with J. Young® Valve
$384.22
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Threaded Ø28 mm Empty Glass Cells, Two Perpendicular Fill Tubes

Specifications
Item # TGC100B
Fill Tubes Two at 90°
Valve Type N/A
Cell Length 100.0 ± 3 mm
Cell Diameter Ø28.0 ± 0.5 mm
Pressure @ 25 °C <10-7 Torr to 5 psi
Fill Tube Outer Diameter 0.50" (12.7 mm)
Cell Substrate Uncoated Borosilicate
Diagram (Click to View)
  • Two Fill Tubes at 90°
  • 100 mm Long Empty Borosilicate Cells
  • Ø28 mm Body with External GL-32 Threading on Each End
  • Ideal for Sample Flow Through

These Ø28 mm empty borosilicate glass cells have threaded ends with no windows. Customer-supplied Ø25 mm or Ø1" flat windows (3 - 5 mm thick) can be installed using two GC1 polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) end caps, which are sold below.

Glass cells with two fill tubes enable gas samples to flow through the cells while under analysis. These cells do not come with integrated valves and can only isolate a sample by adding valves at other points in the system.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
TGC100B Support Documentation
TGC100BEmpty Glass Cell with Threaded Ends, 100 mm Long, Two Perpendicular Fill Tubes
$175.64
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Threaded Ø28 mm Empty Glass Cells, Two Parallel Fill Tubes

Specifications
Item # TGC100C TGC500C TGC100D
Fill Tubes Two at 0°
Valve Type N/A Two Glass Stopcocks
Cell Length 100.0 ± 3 mm 500.0 ± 3 mm 100.0 ± 3 mm
Cell Diameter Ø28.0 ± 0.5 mm
Pressure @ 25 °C <10-7 Torr to 5 psi
Fill Tube Outer Diameter 0.31" (8.0 mm)
Cell Substrate Uncoated Borosilicate
Diagram (Click to View)
  • Two Parallel Fill Tubes
  • 100 mm or 500 mm Long Empty Borosilicate Cells
  • Ø28 mm Body with External GL-32 Threading on Each End
  • 100 mm Cells Available with Glass Stopcocks

These Ø28 mm empty borosilicate glass cells have threaded ends with no windows. Customer-supplied Ø25 mm or Ø1" flat windows (3 - 5 mm thick) can be installed using two GC1 polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) end caps, which are sold below.

These glass cells have parallel tubes with or without glass stopcocks. The glass stopcocks incorporated in our TGC100D glass cell are greaseless and designed for high-vacuum applications.

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
TGC100C Support Documentation
TGC100CEmpty Glass Cell with Threaded Ends, 100 mm Long, Two Parallel Fill Tubes
$175.64
Today
TGC500C Support Documentation
TGC500CCustomer Inspired! Empty Glass Cell with Threaded Ends, 500 mm Long, Two Parallel Fill Tubes
$183.60
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TGC100D Support Documentation
TGC100DEmpty Glass Cell with Threaded Ends, 100 mm Long, Two Parallel Fill Tubes with Glass Stopcocks
$483.02
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Threaded Glass Cell Accessories

Item # HT10KR2
Heater Power 10 W ± 20% @ 24 V
Heater Resistance 50 Ω ± 10%
Outer Diametera 24.9 mm (0.98")
Inner Diametera 20.0 mm (0.79")
Thicknessa,b 1.0 mm (0.04")
Lead Lengtha 305.0 mm (12.01")
Max Temperature 90 °C
  • For tolerances on these dimensions, see the spec sheets by clicking on the red Docs icons (Docs) below.
  • This specification includes the thickness of the ceramic ring and the thermistor.
  • GL-32 Threaded Cap and X-Profile O-Ring
  • Seats Customer-Supplied Ø25 mm or Ø1" Flat Windows (3 - 5 mm Thick)
  • Compatible with Optional HT10KR2 Metal Ceramic Ring Heater

Our Ø28 mm empty borosilicate glass cells have threaded ends that can be closed using two GC1 polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) end caps, which are designed to hold a Ø25 mm or Ø1" flat window (3 - 5 mm thick). Each end cap includes two GC1V Viton® O-Rings with an X-shaped cross section (Dash # 211*), which can also be purchased separately.

The HT10KR2 Metal Ceramic Ring Heater can fit inside the threaded plastic cap; the cap features a slot to allow the ring heater wires to exit. Adding this allows the temperature of the gas contained within a threaded cell to be controlled. We also offer a variety of other TEC elements, resistive heaters, thermistors, and thermocouples for temperature control.

*Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Dash Number as Defined in Standard AS568: Aerospace Size Standard for O-Rings

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
GC1 Support Documentation
GC1End Cap for Ø28 mm Threaded Glass Cells, Two Viton® O-Rings Included
$32.94
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GC1V Support Documentation
GC1VViton® O-Ring, X Profile, Qty. 10
$16.47
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HT10KR2 Support Documentation
HT10KR210 W Metal Ceramic Ring Heater with 10 kΩ Thermistor, 24.9 mm OD, 20.0 mm ID
$67.85
Today